Sydney to Brisbane: Exploring the Sydney Coastal Drive and beyond

One of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations is the stretch of coastline north of Sydney and into Queensland. There are so many small seaside towns, large resort cities, and several of the country’s best beaches that it can be difficult to choose which ones to visit. Why not visit them all? Hire the vehicle of your choice and take a road trip up the coast. You may find that perfect community where you’d like to spend the rest of your holiday, or the call of the road may take you all the way up to Cairns. That’s why we have a range of car hire vehicles suited to the kind of trip that takes your fancy.

Many of Australia’s best beaches are located along the coastline between Sydney and Cairns. From resort cities such as the Gold Coast to little towns such as Airlie Beach – a starting point to the Great Barrier Reef – there is something for everyone. Find that one beach where you want to stay for your entire holiday, or explore them all. There are plenty of distractions along the way to make this a fun drive.

Leg one: Sydney to Coffs Harbour

527 km | 6-hour drive

You don’t need to go far to discover some of the brightest gems along this Sydney coastal drive. Only 90 minutes into the drive you’ll cruise into the Central Coast, which is known for its laid-back towns and surf beaches.

Another hour north is Lake Macquarie, an enormous saltwater lagoon, and Newcastle, a lively city that’s all about sunshine, surfing, and historic attractions. Next up is Port Stephens, which is known for its camel rides on Stockton Beach and the Tomaree National Park. Another great stop is at Port Macquarie – popular for its coastal walks and interactive Billabong Zoo. By the time you reach beautiful Coffs Harbour, you’ll be over half way through the drive from Sydney to Brisbane.

Leg two: Coffs Harbour to Brisbane

389 km | 4.5-hour drive

Don’t be tempted to pass straight through Coffs Harbour – you’ll at least need to make a stop at the ‘Big Banana’ for a photo, and, if you have the time, head inland to the Dorrigo National Park to stroll the spectacular treetops boardwalk over the rainforest. Continue north, making a stop at Byron Bay to spend time wiggling your toes in the golden sand and getting into the water for a spot of surfing or scuba diving. Before you reach Brisbane, take some time out on the Gold Coast, a city known the world over for its endless golden beaches, non-stop nightlife, and adrenaline-filled theme parks.

Leg three: Brisbane to Mackay

950 km | 11-hour drive

By the time you arrive in Brisbane, you’ll have already driven from Sydney to Queensland, but there’s plenty more of this state left to explore. The Sunshine Coast and Noosa Heads are all about the beaches, and Hervey Bay has become something of a mecca for humpback whale watching between July and November. While Bundaberg does offer more glorious beach real estate, it’s the rum distillery that often draws the crowds here. Rockhampton is the last major town along the way to Mackay, and the first chance to check out the amazing underground limestone Capricorn Caves.

Leg four: Mackay to Cairns

732 km | 8.5-hour-drive

This last long stretch of road between Mackay and Cairns goes to show just how far it is from Sydney to North Queensland by car – but also how spectacular. Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island almost look too beautiful for this world and are both located in the heart of the incomparable Whitsunday Islands. Townsville a little farther north gives you the chance to check out Reef HQ to learn about the Great Barrier Reef, and the opportunity to visit a sea turtle hospital. Mission Beach and its stretch of secluded inlets is the last major must-stop and is where rainforest meets the Coral Sea.

‘Big things’ on the drive from Sydney to Brisbane and beyond

This part of the country is also renowned for its ‘big things’, so it’s impossible for the drive to become boring. Hop onto the Pacific Highway from Sydney to Brisbane, about a 925 km-drive north. Along the way you’ll find, amongst others, the Big Mosquito in Hexham, the Big Oyster in Taree, and the Big Axe in Kew. How about taking a side trip inland to Tamworth, home of the Big Golden Guitar and the Tamworth Country Music Festival, too? One ‘big thing’ not to miss during your trip is the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. It is one of the earliest of Down Under’s quirky, oversized structures. From Brisbane, get onto the Bruce Highway for a drive into tropical Queensland. Stop at the late Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo in Beerwah, and visit the Big Pineapple in Nambour.

All along the coast to Cairns, there are little towns where you can find excursions to the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Hervey Bay, for instance, is the gateway to Fraser Island, one of the southernmost islands along the Reef. Don’t miss the stunning Whitsunday Islands, easily reached by boat or ferry transfer from Airlie Beach.

Even though the highways between Sydney and Cairns are good, hiring one of our 4WD vehicles is your best option, since, on some of Queensland’s islands, a 4WD is the only way to get around.